The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1887-08-07
A FAIR AND HONEST VIEW.
Some Points For Dry Benchers Not
Yet Discussed.
To the Editor Of TIE Hrp.1

To the Editor of THE HERALD.
There certainly can come no good
from discussing in anger the question
of water for the Dry Benchers. There
l. serious matter involved and fought
to be looked at fairly and met in fair
and candid spirit.
Anent the recent talk on the subject,
there are one or two propositions which
have been untouched. 1 have q very
clear recollection of the building of the
Salt Lake City and Jordan Canal. and
of the arguments used to secure a vote
by the citizens of Salt Lake City favor
able to its construction. Then, as now,
the Dry BenChers were conteuding for
water; that they should have water was
admitted and the point made was that,
by building the canal, the waters of
certain streams would be released and
then it could be given and would be
given to the inhabitants of the Dry
Bench. This point was clear, and is
clear to-day. On this representation
the Dry Benchers voted for the con i
struction OF the canal and they helped
to pay for it. Now, the question is,
what benefit have they derived from it ?
ALI that part of the city To-
Gated under the canal have had
ample water where it was scarce before
the canal was constructed. Those
above it yet beneath the waters Of City
Greek, have been blessed by it, because
it has released City Greek water. To
all inhabitants that canal has been a
b. neht save TO those who needed the
water most-the Dry Benchers. Now
when citizens talk OF not doing a thing
! from which they are to derive 10 i'm.
mediate personal good, the question
arises what right had the city to take
the money of Dry Benchers-however
trlfiing 1t may have been-and use it
for the building OF canal from which
| they have all these years derived abso-
lutely no benefit?
| Nor over, broader spirit should
characterize the actions of men. 1t Is
| impossible to benefit any in part with
out doing good to the whole. The poor
citizens generally have, on the narrow
principle, cause to complain for the ex-
pendilure of public moneys in laying
water and gas mains-a luxury that
only the rich can enjoy, and for which
| many of them paid nothing. The talk
W IL operate DO h ways. 1t is well to re-
member this fact
One more point, that Of the title to
the water. There was, during the dis
cussion of the question of building the
City canal, the same kind of talk in
dulged in. Ii was urged that even if
| the canal were built the city could not
divert the waters of City Greek from
old settlers or the owners of properly
first taking out the waters OF the creek
by substituting the waters of Jordan.
| But it was done and has been done I'M
til the original water rights in many in
stances have to sn extent, been sur
rendered. If this be the case, then the
city possesses this water right, as far as
surrendered, and it will be difficult to
see why the city cannot give the Dry
! BencheTS q share in this possession.
But after all is said. there is one par
amount fact, which must be considered.
| Wafer will have to be provided for tese
| city, If the city is to grow, When water
| is accorded those now residing on the
bench, and in other places, the city will
grow more rapidly. 1t has got to be
done. How, is another matter, but it is
! just as well to begin by supplying
! the north bench as any o her
part. and the City Council must
| grapple with the subject and provide
| the way. The quarrel is useless. The
! thing must be done. w heD and now
are The problems.
| As it is. nine months IN the year an
abundance of water is running 70 waste.
which. properly utilized, would satisfy
the dem nds even of Dry Bencher.
The talk of suing the city is childish,
and it is inst as well that the people of
| the North Bench who seek for water
should learn to be wary of the senseless,
if not sinister. persons, who are at the
bottom of this talk. 1t were idle to
break political affiliations because OF the
representation OF characterless men,
whose only hope is TO Induce the North
Bench citizens TO vote for bad cause
on the strength of worthless promises
Money spent hone stiy on the city s
J improvement is put out at good inter
est. The business men of the Council
know this. 1t comes back with usury
There is no wisdom in DELAY.
JBoRKsEN.
SALT LAKE, August 6. 1897.